St Kilda
Coach – Alan Richardson
2018 –
Points For – 14th
Points Against –16th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Jack Steven
- Seb Ross
- Jack Steele
- Jade Gresham
- Jarryn Geary
2018 Rising Star Noms
Ben Long (Rnd 5)
Hunter Clark (Rnd 13)
Ins – Dean Kent, Dan Hannebery, Max King, Jack Bytel, Matthew Parker, Nick Hind, Robbie Young, Callum Wilkie,
Outs – Ray Connellan, Nathan Freeman, Sam Gilbert, Hugh Goddard, Tom Hickey, Darren Minchington, Koby Stevens, Maverick Weller, Nathan Wright
My Prediction
St Kilda had their injury problems and plenty of excuses for their poor year last year, a year when a lot of people thought they may rise up the ladder. What became obvious though was the lack of depth in the list and what looks to be short term planning and a lack of understanding as to where their list is really at. The recruitment of Hannebery says to me that they still overestimate their list and are trying to find short term solutions for long term problems.
The backline is light on for genuine key position talent. We know how good Carlisle can be but he is a third tall and not a genuine key position stopper. Nathan Brown battles hard but he is 30 and undersized. Max King may get a run this year down back but he is a kid. Webster was a good runner of the half back line and gave them drive but there are real worries about the shape of the backs and are going to need really good team defence to protect them.
The midfield lacks pace and run. They went and picked up a deteriorating one paced midfield from Sydney who will not solve their problems. Jack Steven is a genuine star and in a good team would be outstanding. Ross had a really solid year as well but it is the outside run that they lack. They need Long to develop quickly and they need Billings to live up to his promise and then someone like Hind to come in and make a difference. I don’t think there is enough talent there to improve.
The forward line could be a ripper, I rate McCartin and think last year he started to show his ability. This year I think he should have a real run at it. Membrey or Bruce play good second and tall forwards who need consistency but have ability. Battle showed some promise even if raw and then Gresham gave plenty. I thought Newnes looked pretty good in patches as well. There is the bones of a solid forward line there and enough development left to believe that if they get enough ball, they could kick a winning score.
The rucks are a genuine concern, I think Hickey may have been their best last year and they traded him away. They are going to leave it in the hands of Longer which leaves them as probably the worse ruck department in the AFL. The coach is in dire straits, this will surely be his final year at St Kilda. There is no way they can win enough games for him to be there again.
The Saints are all plaster desperately trying to hide the cracks that absolutely everyone knows are there. I don’t think they will go lower than last year because there are two teams who are pretty dreadful but I don’t see them climbing up the ladder either. 15th or 16th for mine and Robert Harvey to be coaching by the split round.